Dear Editor,
Recently, I was travelling on Highway 2000 from Kingston to Old Harbour when the bus in which I was commuting lost one of its tyres and almost plunged over the road railing and tumbled headlong down the rocky hillside.
Perhaps, you would have thought the devil was at work and opposing the powers of God, but really, it was just the recklessness of a bus operator who evidently had not serviced his bus properly.
By the near dilapidated appearance of the bus, I should have anticipated something going awry. There was evidence of extensive rusting and missing window shields, which could have easily indicated that the bus was not in the most roadworthy condition. It should therefore have been no surprise when one of the front tyres burst violently enroute to Old Harbour and almost cost the over 30 passengers their lives.
The horror of that evening is still so very palpable. I cannot forget the screeching sound of the bus as pieces of the tyre spewed into the air.
I was dumbfounded, as the bus was unable to come to a halt for what seemed like the longest minute. I couldn't speak, and I couldn't pray. I kept wondering at point would the bus finally stop and if I would just die so helplessly.
When the bus eventually stopped and I managed to liberate myself of the shock, I was still very shaky. One little boy, no more than seven years old, was so frightened that he started crying and chiding the driver in between sobs for his carelessness. All I could do was pray.
In light of all this, I must urge all passengers to be careful. Take time to examine the vehicles on which you wish to embark. There can be telltale signs of possible defects which can lead to tragic happenings later down the road. Also, do not be afraid to tell drivers to cut their speed if you feel endangered.
Moreover, for some of the inspectors who are culpable of passing vehicles as fit for the road, when they are clearly unfit, please, desist from doing so. You are imperiling many lives when you commit such an unscrupulous act.
Finally, drivers, please use some of the money that you earn to service your vehicles regularly. We have had too many road fatalities on the road to undermine the likely danger of the simplest defect on our motor vehicles.
People's lives are precious, so please, be careful.
Shawna Kay Williams
Shawna201@gmail.com
Be careful passengers
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Recently, I was travelling on Highway 2000 from Kingston to Old Harbour when the bus in which I was commuting lost one of its tyres and almost plunged over the road railing and tumbled headlong down the rocky hillside.
Perhaps, you would have thought the devil was at work and opposing the powers of God, but really, it was just the recklessness of a bus operator who evidently had not serviced his bus properly.
By the near dilapidated appearance of the bus, I should have anticipated something going awry. There was evidence of extensive rusting and missing window shields, which could have easily indicated that the bus was not in the most roadworthy condition. It should therefore have been no surprise when one of the front tyres burst violently enroute to Old Harbour and almost cost the over 30 passengers their lives.
The horror of that evening is still so very palpable. I cannot forget the screeching sound of the bus as pieces of the tyre spewed into the air.
I was dumbfounded, as the bus was unable to come to a halt for what seemed like the longest minute. I couldn't speak, and I couldn't pray. I kept wondering at point would the bus finally stop and if I would just die so helplessly.
When the bus eventually stopped and I managed to liberate myself of the shock, I was still very shaky. One little boy, no more than seven years old, was so frightened that he started crying and chiding the driver in between sobs for his carelessness. All I could do was pray.
In light of all this, I must urge all passengers to be careful. Take time to examine the vehicles on which you wish to embark. There can be telltale signs of possible defects which can lead to tragic happenings later down the road. Also, do not be afraid to tell drivers to cut their speed if you feel endangered.
Moreover, for some of the inspectors who are culpable of passing vehicles as fit for the road, when they are clearly unfit, please, desist from doing so. You are imperiling many lives when you commit such an unscrupulous act.
Finally, drivers, please use some of the money that you earn to service your vehicles regularly. We have had too many road fatalities on the road to undermine the likely danger of the simplest defect on our motor vehicles.
People's lives are precious, so please, be careful.
Shawna Kay Williams
Shawna201@gmail.com
Be careful passengers
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